The CHA Pathology department employs a team of Pathologists, technicians, lab assistants and support staff to provide high-quality, prompt histological and cytological interpretations for our patients.

The medical staff of the Pathology department consists of Pathologists. Here at CHA our team of Pathologists have decades of experience interpreting and diagnosing a broad range of conditions. During the course of their day, a Pathologist will receive results from many different departments of the CHA laboratory system. They will interpret these results and issue diagnoses to clinicians throughout not only the Cambridge Health Alliance, but also for hospitals throughout the world. A Pathologist will also provide on-site, immediate diagnoses of specimens if required.

Histology

Tissues received in the Histology department are preserved and processed to ensure long term viability. Tissues are initially described and, if required, are dissected to observe specific areas of the tissue by the Pathologists’ Assistant or Pathologist. Histology technicians use special machinery to thinly cut and mount these tissues on glass slides for microscopic interpretation by CHA Pathologists. The slide-mounted tissues can then be used in a wide variety of specialized testing to ensure that the right diagnosis is made for each patient.

Tests Performed

Cytology

Cytology is the study of cells. The Cytology laboratory evaluates cells collected from specific sites in the human body to provide diagnostic information to clinicians. Like in Histology, cells can be deposited on glass slides and observed with a microscope. The lab also has a team of technicians, called cytotechnologists, that are specially trained to assist the Pathologists in interpreting cytological specimens. Accurate and prompt cytological interpretations are critical to our patient’s health.